Fluorescent dye binding peptides

Abstract

The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides, termed fluorettes, that bind with high avidity to fluorophore dyes. The peptides find use in a variety of methods and approaches involving fluorophore dyes.

We claim:  
     
       1. A complex comprising a fluorophore dye and a peptide comprising a sequence of at least about 8 amino acids, wherein said dye is bound by said peptide and wherein said peptide has an amino acid sequence consisting of SEQ ID No: 15. 
     
     
       2. The complex according to  claim 1 , wherein said complex has a dissociation constant less than or equal to about 0.5 micromolar. 
     
     
       3. The complex according to  claim 1 , wherein said dye is Texas Red and said peptide has an amino acid sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO:15. 
     
     
       4. A complex according to  claim 1 , wherein said fluorophore dye is selected from the group consisting of Texas Red, Rhodamine Red, Oregon Green 514, and Fluorescein. 
     
     
       5. The complex according to  claim 1 , wherein said complex has an excitation spectrum that differs from the excitation spectrum of said fluorophore dye in the absence of said peptide. 
     
     
       6. The complex according to  claim 1  or  3 , wherein said complex has an emission spectrum that differs from the emission spectrum of said fluorophore dye in the absence of said peptide. 
     
     
       7. A method of binding a peptide to a fluorophore dye, comprising; contacting said fluorophore dye with said peptide, wherein said peptide has an amino acid sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO:15 that binds said fluorophore dye. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said binding alters the emission spectrum of said fluorophore dye. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 7  or  8 , wherein said binding alters the excitation spectrum of said fluorophore dye. 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said peptide is fused to a protein.